Envisioning a Safer Future for This Deadly Intersection in Richmond, VA

Richmond, VA, architect Erik Bootsma shows through some simple (but effective) illustrations how a dangerous intersection can be made safer.

Edward Erfurt, Safe & Productive StreetsEdward ErfurtMay 5, 2023Safe and Productive Streets, Crash Analysis Studio, intersections, Safety, safety, Pedestrian Safety, pedestrian safety, car crash

Walk Into City Hall

City hall is an institution with a diversity of responsibilities serving your community, and in it lies an opportunity to observe how your local city operates and is managed.

Edward Erfurt, Top StoryEdward ErfurtApril 14, 2023city council, local government, city government, public engagement, community engagement

By Right. This Might Not Be Right?!

What exactly is “by right” development, and how might it not match what’s actually built in your community?

Edward Erfurt, Top StoryEdward ErfurtApril 7, 2023zoning, NIMBY, Homeownership, homeownership, homeowners, local government, Development, development

Illustrating Investment Potential in Your Neighborhood

Too many neighborhoods have a demand and need for additional housing, but builders believe there's not enough existing lots to build on. Here's how to demonstrate otherwise.

Edward Erfurt, Incremental Housing, Top StoryEdward ErfurtMarch 31, 2023Incremental Housing, housing, housing crisis, Development, development, single-family

The Goldilocks and the Three Bears Approach to Redevelopment

Developers and builders often ask the same question: “What can I build on x lot?” But what is it that they’re actually looking for, and how can the urban planners they work with help them make the most of a given space?

Urban Design, Edward Erfurt, Top StoryEdward ErfurtMarch 24, 2023urban design, urban planning, developers, Development, development, redevelopment

Making the Most of Your Transportation Options—And Getting Your Neighbors Onboard

White Flint, MD, presents a great case study for how a community can begin shifting the conversation on its transportation infrastructure and development pattern.

Engagement, Edward Erfurt, Safe & Productive Streets, Top StoryEdward ErfurtMarch 17, 2023Safe and Productive Streets, Maryland, traditional development pattern, Development, development pattern, suburban development pattern, traffic congestion, community engagement

You Have All the Parking You Need—And It’s Hiding in Plain Sight

So, your community has decided it needs more parking. That doesn’t mean you’ll have to destroy buildings and dump a sizeable amount of money into (and take on the long-term liabilities of) a block-sized parking lot.

End Parking Mandates, Edward Erfurt, Safe & Productive Streets, Top StoryEdward ErfurtMarch 3, 2023Parking, parking minimums, parking, End Parking Mandates and Subsidies, STROADS, streets, design, Street Design, Safe and Productive Streets

Build to the Street

Building to the street can create urban form and character, and increase the productivity of a site—even a site like this airport hotel.

Edward Erfurt, Urban Design, Top StoryEdward ErfurtFebruary 24, 2023urban design, urban planning, urbanism, traditional development pattern, hotels, productive place, Safe and Productive Streets, canada

Five Simple Fixes for a Deadly Intersection in Indianapolis

A cyclist was killed at this intersection in Indianapolis. Here are five low-cost, easy fixes to prevent additional tragedies in the future. City officials, take note.

Edward Erfurt, Safe & Productive Streets, Top StoryEdward ErfurtFebruary 17, 2023Safe and Productive Streets, Crash Analysis Studio, how to, streets, STROADS, intersections, Indiana

Engaging Local Governments Effectively

Local government is where you can make the most impact and difference in your city, but how do you go about actually interacting with your local government?

Local Government, Erfurt, Top Story, Edward ErfurtEdward ErfurtFebruary 3, 2023local government, public engagement, local politics

Cutting Corners

What if we told you that by cutting a few corners, you can actually make your community a better and safer place?

Edward Erfurt, Safe & Productive Streets, Top StoryEdward ErfurtJanuary 20, 2023Safe and Productive Streets, design, Street Design, #SlowTheCars, Pedestrian Safety, traffic engineering, intersections

Sketches of Shenandoah

A drive through Shenandoah National Park, and a look back at its 1930s creation, offers a glimpse into the early era of American car culture, when motoring was a recreational activity with a lighter imprint on the landscape.

Edward Erfurt, Environment, Top StoryEdward ErfurtJanuary 13, 2023Parks, car culture, history, rural, environment

The Power of Paint in Street Transformation

With some simple, low-tech tools, the street next to a neighborhood park can be transformed in a way that’s friendly to both city budgets and residents wanting to access the park.

Edward Erfurt, End Parking Mandates, Safe & Productive Streets, Top StoryEdward ErfurtJanuary 6, 2023Parking, End Parking Mandates and Subsidies, Safe and Productive Streets, Parks, parks, parking, Safety, Pedestrian Safety, how to

A Massive Top-Down Plan To Fix a Massive Top-Down Mistake

Half a century ago, Kansas City destroyed its downtown to make way for parking. What if we used that same no-constraints, top-down approach, but this time to right the wrongs of the past?

Edward Erfurt, End Parking Mandates, Parking, Top StoryEdward ErfurtDecember 16, 2022redevelopment, Kansas City, Parking, parking, End Parking Mandates and Subsidies, top-down, downtown, Infill Development, infill, missouri, Missouri

Recovering the Lost Art of Mixed-Use Development

Mixed-use development was once the norm in cities and towns, but most Americans no longer remember how it works. Here are 3 easy-to-understand forms that mixed use could (and should) take in your community.

Edward Erfurt, Planning Profession, Zoning, Top Story 2, Incremental HousingEdward ErfurtDecember 2, 2022mixed use, development pattern, traditional development pattern, urban planning, Development, development, planning profession, planning process

I Was One of the First 100 Strong Towns Members. Now, I’m One of Thousands.

Edward Erfurt was one of the very first 100 Strong Towns members…and now he’s one of our newest staff members! Today, he shares his membership journey as we close out Member Week.

Membership, Edward Erfurt, Top StoryEdward ErfurtNovember 18, 2022member drive, membership

Parking Is More Than a Number

Parking reform can be a hard sell when it’s done all at once. Here are some small steps you can take instead to start helping your community use less land on parking.

Parking, Edward Erfurt, Top Story, End Parking MandatesEdward ErfurtOctober 28, 2022End Parking Mandates and Subsidies, Parking, parking minimums, parking, parking landing page, incrementalism, small bets, little bets

Taco John’s 2.0

Our most famous case study revealed the high cost of auto-oriented development. But what if a little creative rearrangement could make things a whole lot better?

Urban Design, Edward Erfurt, Top Story, End Parking MandatesEdward ErfurtOctober 21, 2022urban planning, urban design, traditional development pattern, suburban development pattern, Taco Johns, Brainerd MN, Parking, parking, suburban retrofit, productive place

Get Involved

Resources

About

Site